That the Parliament commends the work of Clydeside Action on Asbestos, which it considers to be Scotland's leading charity that supports people with asbestos-related conditions; applauds it on providing much-needed funding to employ two specialist nurses in the east and west of the country; believes that these experts will have a wealth of knowledge and help to boost the care that is given to people with respiratory conditions, including pleural diseases such as mesothelioma; considers that this will greatly support the excellent work carried out by Dr Kevin Blyth at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and Dr Gouurab Choudhury and his colleagues at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and welcomes the additional services that will be provided thanks to the charity’s contribution.

That the Parliament commends the work of Clydeside Action on Asbestos, which it considers to be Scotland's leading charity that supports people with asbestos-related conditions; applauds it on providing much-needed funding to employ two specialist nurses in the east and west of the country; believes that these experts will have a wealth of knowledge and help to boost the care that is given to people with respiratory conditions, including pleural diseases such as mesothelioma; considers that this will greatly support the excellent work carried out by Dr Kevin Blyth at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and Dr Gouurab Choudhury and his colleagues at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and welcomes the additional services that will be provided thanks to the charity’s contribution.

That the Parliament congratulates the environment behaviour change charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, and Simply Cups on the launch of the Cup Movement in Glasgow; notes that 478 million single-use cups are used in Scotland every year, with only 4% being recycled; notes that this industry-leading initiative has the potential to completely change existing consumer behaviour and their relationship with single-use cups, leaving a more sustainable legacy while creating a model of best practice that can be replicated in other major cities; welcomes the support of Costa Coffee, Greggs, McDonald’s UK, Pret A Manger, Starbucks UK, as well as the packaging industry, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government, and believes that the groundbreaking initiative can transform the use of single-use cups in Glasgow and beyond.

That the Parliament congratulates the environment behaviour change charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, and Simply Cups on the launch of the Cup Movement in Glasgow; notes that 478 million single-use cups are used in Scotland every year, with only 4% being recycled; notes that this industry-leading initiative has the potential to completely change existing consumer behaviour and their relationship with single-use cups, leaving a more sustainable legacy while creating a model of best practice that can be replicated in other major cities; welcomes the support of Costa Coffee, Greggs, McDonald’s UK, Pret A Manger, Starbucks UK, as well as the packaging industry, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government, and believes that the groundbreaking initiative can transform the use of single-use cups in Glasgow and beyond.

That the Parliament sends its condolences to the family of Adrian Williams, who has recently passed away; notes that he led the Army’s delivery of youth and ethnic minority engagement for nine years and was the drive behind Youth Advantage Outreach, which is a programme delivered in collaboration with Scottish Government, local authorities, Police Scotland and other agencies that aims to provide positive interventions for young people who have offended or are involved in antisocial behaviour; understands that. when Adrian was charged with leading the Army’s engagement with ethnic communities in Scotland, in two years he established a wide network and strong links with various agencies, including the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations, Scottish Communities Initiatives and the Muslim Council of Scotland, and developed the Etihad Challenge programme, which seeks to break down barriers and misperceptions and building a sense of stakeholdership between ethnic communities and the armed forces; acknowledges the relationships that Adrian developed with Gurdwaras and his role in facilitating armed forces' involvement in the annual Diwali parade in Edinburgh; believes that, through his work, Adrian made many friends across all communities and had a positive impact on peoples’ lives; acknowledges that he was a keen traveller, sailor, angler and had a passion for military history, which saw him organise many battlefield tours, and recognises that Adrian was much loved by his colleagues, and will be sadly missed.

That the Parliament sends its condolences to the family of Adrian Williams, who has recently passed away; notes that he led the Army’s delivery of youth and ethnic minority engagement for nine years and was the drive behind Youth Advantage Outreach, which is a programme delivered in collaboration with Scottish Government, local authorities, Police Scotland and other agencies that aims to provide positive interventions for young people who have offended or are involved in antisocial behaviour; understands that. when Adrian was charged with leading the Army’s engagement with ethnic communities in Scotland, in two years he established a wide network and strong links with various agencies, including the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations, Scottish Communities Initiatives and the Muslim Council of Scotland, and developed the Etihad Challenge programme, which seeks to break down barriers and misperceptions and building a sense of stakeholdership between ethnic communities and the armed forces; acknowledges the relationships that Adrian developed with Gurdwaras and his role in facilitating armed forces' involvement in the annual Diwali parade in Edinburgh; believes that, through his work, Adrian made many friends across all communities and had a positive impact on peoples’ lives; acknowledges that he was a keen traveller, sailor, angler and had a passion for military history, which saw him organise many battlefield tours, and recognises that Adrian was much loved by his colleagues, and will be sadly missed.

That the Parliament endorses the aims of The Fight For The Night rally, which will take place on 23 November 2018; notes that campaigners will march in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault and demand that Glasgow is made safer for women; supports the right for women, trans and non-binary people to walk the streets of Glasgow at night without fear of sexual or gender-based violence; acknowledges that the protest will be against the stigma surrounding rape and sexual assault; thanks Strathclyde Students’ Union for hosting an after-event with stalls from different organisations that work to address gender-based violence, as well as live music, and notes that this will be raising funds for Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis.

That the Parliament endorses the aims of The Fight For The Night rally, which will take place on 23 November 2018; notes that campaigners will march in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault and demand that Glasgow is made safer for women; supports the right for women, trans and non-binary people to walk the streets of Glasgow at night without fear of sexual or gender-based violence; acknowledges that the protest will be against the stigma surrounding rape and sexual assault; thanks Strathclyde Students’ Union for hosting an after-event with stalls from different organisations that work to address gender-based violence, as well as live music, and notes that this will be raising funds for Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis.

That the Parliament recognises November is Movember, which is Men’s Health Awareness Month; notes that Movember seeks to raise awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention; notes that Prostate Cancer UK is the main beneficiary of the Movember campaign in the UK; understands that prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Scotland, with over 3,000 men diagnosed each year; further understands that it is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in Scotland, according to ISD Scotland data, with 986 men dying in 2017; welcomes the recent game-changing breakthroughs in prostate cancer diagnosis, such as multiparametric-MRI (mpMRI) scans prior to biopsy; congratulates Prostate Cancer UK on its work to raise awareness of prostate cancer risk factors, such as age, ethnicity and family history, to promote earlier diagnosis; recognises the importance of access to a clinical nurse specialist, which it considers leads to improved patient experiences, and further recognises the need for high-quality post-treatment support for men diagnosed with prostate cancer to deal with potential side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence.

That the Parliament recognises November is Movember, which is Men’s Health Awareness Month; notes that Movember seeks to raise awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention; notes that Prostate Cancer UK is the main beneficiary of the Movember campaign in the UK; understands that prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Scotland, with over 3,000 men diagnosed each year; further understands that it is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in Scotland, according to ISD Scotland data, with 986 men dying in 2017; welcomes the recent game-changing breakthroughs in prostate cancer diagnosis, such as multiparametric-MRI (mpMRI) scans prior to biopsy; congratulates Prostate Cancer UK on its work to raise awareness of prostate cancer risk factors, such as age, ethnicity and family history, to promote earlier diagnosis; recognises the importance of access to a clinical nurse specialist, which it considers leads to improved patient experiences, and further recognises the need for high-quality post-treatment support for men diagnosed with prostate cancer to deal with potential side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence.

That the Parliament believes that increasing rates of mouth and throat cancers in Scotland are a matter of serious concern; considers that the wide variations in oral cancer incidence and survival rates between different areas and social groups in Scotland are unacceptable, with, it understands, someone in Glasgow being twice more likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer than someone in Fife; welcomes the long overdue decision to vaccinate boys in Scotland against HPV and hopes that a gender-neutral vaccination programme can be rolled out without any further delay; applauds the Scottish Government’s commitment in its Oral Health Improvement Plan to ensure that the oral cancer clinical pathway across Scotland is safe, consistent, clear and effective, but is concerned regarding the potential impact that the proposed extension of dental recall intervals to 24 months might have on dentists’ ability to detect symptoms of oral cancers early; commends the British Dental Association Scotland and the wider dental profession on their work to raise awareness of oral cancer, and urges the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland and other stakeholders to develop sustainable and innovative approaches to oral cancer care and work effectively to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of this condition.

That the Parliament believes that increasing rates of mouth and throat cancers in Scotland are a matter of serious concern; considers that the wide variations in oral cancer incidence and survival rates between different areas and social groups in Scotland are unacceptable, with, it understands, someone in Glasgow being twice more likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer than someone in Fife; welcomes the long overdue decision to vaccinate boys in Scotland against HPV and hopes that a gender-neutral vaccination programme can be rolled out without any further delay; applauds the Scottish Government’s commitment in its Oral Health Improvement Plan to ensure that the oral cancer clinical pathway across Scotland is safe, consistent, clear and effective, but is concerned regarding the potential impact that the proposed extension of dental recall intervals to 24 months might have on dentists’ ability to detect symptoms of oral cancers early; commends the British Dental Association Scotland and the wider dental profession on their work to raise awareness of oral cancer, and urges the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland and other stakeholders to develop sustainable and innovative approaches to oral cancer care and work effectively to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of this condition.

As an amendment to motion S5M-14194 in the name of Joe FitzPatrick (Women and Girls in Sport Week), insert at end "; notes the continued disparity in participation rates between boys and girls, as outlined in the most recent Scottish Health Survey, as well as the ongoing link between deprivation and low participation rates, and raises concern regarding the Scottish Government’s limited success in making progress on this issue; recognises the importance of having inspirational role models that are representative of all backgrounds to encourage more people to get involved in sport; congratulates the Scotland women’s national football team on qualifying for the World Cup finals in 2019, and warmly welcomes the Scottish Government's support for the team as it prepares for the tournament."

As an amendment to motion S5M-14194 in the name of Joe FitzPatrick (Women and Girls in Sport Week), insert at end "; notes the continued disparity in participation rates between boys and girls, as outlined in the most recent Scottish Health Survey, as well as the ongoing link between deprivation and low participation rates, and raises concern regarding the Scottish Government’s limited success in making progress on this issue; recognises the importance of having inspirational role models that are representative of all backgrounds to encourage more people to get involved in sport; congratulates the Scotland women’s national football team on qualifying for the World Cup finals in 2019, and warmly welcomes the Scottish Government's support for the team as it prepares for the tournament."

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 04/10/2018

That the Parliament pays tribute to Blood Bikes Scotland and its volunteers who play a vital role in communities; notes that the charity comprises a dedicated team of volunteer motorcyclists controllers and fundraisers who commit their time to provide a free-of-charge service for NHS Lothian, NHS Fife and NHS Borders that delivers urgent health items, including equipment, donor baby milk and blood samples, and acknowledges and congratulates Blood Bikes Scotland on being named SCVO Charity of the Year and winning the People’s Choice award.

That the Parliament pays tribute to Blood Bikes Scotland and its volunteers who play a vital role in communities; notes that the charity comprises a dedicated team of volunteer motorcyclists controllers and fundraisers who commit their time to provide a free-of-charge service for NHS Lothian, NHS Fife and NHS Borders that delivers urgent health items, including equipment, donor baby milk and blood samples, and acknowledges and congratulates Blood Bikes Scotland on being named SCVO Charity of the Year and winning the People’s Choice award.

That the Parliament congratulates the team at Crail Medical Practice, which is in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, on being named Team of the Year at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Alliance awards; notes that it works to support its patients to make different lifestyle choices to help them build a more positive future in an area that has higher than average levels of heart and circulatory disease and significantly lower than average life expectancy; acknowledges that the practice has adopted new approaches to managing long-term conditions, such as by offering a significant emphasis on increasing physical activity, including a weekly walking group; believes that its efforts have resulted in improvements in confidence and social interaction in patients, as well as increasing their energy levels and helping them to participate more in exercise, and commends the team on aiming to ensure that people in the area receive the best possible care in a way that breaks down barriers.

That the Parliament congratulates the team at Crail Medical Practice, which is in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, on being named Team of the Year at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Alliance awards; notes that it works to support its patients to make different lifestyle choices to help them build a more positive future in an area that has higher than average levels of heart and circulatory disease and significantly lower than average life expectancy; acknowledges that the practice has adopted new approaches to managing long-term conditions, such as by offering a significant emphasis on increasing physical activity, including a weekly walking group; believes that its efforts have resulted in improvements in confidence and social interaction in patients, as well as increasing their energy levels and helping them to participate more in exercise, and commends the team on aiming to ensure that people in the area receive the best possible care in a way that breaks down barriers.

That the Parliament calls on the Scottish Government, as a matter of urgency, to bring NHS National Services Scotland, the Scottish Medicines Consortium and the relevant pharmaceutical companies together to deliver access to the life-prolonging medicines, Perjeta and Orkambi, for patients in Scotland who need them; notes the commitment that was made by the Scottish Government in December 2016, following the Review of Access to New Medicines (the Montgomery Review), to improve ways of negotiating with drug companies on the cost of medicines, and calls for a new system of negotiation to be implemented now.

That the Parliament calls on the Scottish Government, as a matter of urgency, to bring NHS National Services Scotland, the Scottish Medicines Consortium and the relevant pharmaceutical companies together to deliver access to the life-prolonging medicines, Perjeta and Orkambi, for patients in Scotland who need them; notes the commitment that was made by the Scottish Government in December 2016, following the Review of Access to New Medicines (the Montgomery Review), to improve ways of negotiating with drug companies on the cost of medicines, and calls for a new system of negotiation to be implemented now.

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of 5G mobile communication on public health.

Answered byJoe FitzPatrick
(01/02/2019):

The Scottish Government receives evidence based advice on the health effects of 5G networks from Public Health England (PHE). PHE has the expertise to assess the scientific literature available on this topic. The current evidence suggests that overall exposure to radio waves when 5G is added to the existing network or in a new area, is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and as such there should be no consequence for public health.

Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 01/02/2019

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of 5G mobile communication on public health.

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish its endoscopy action plan, which it announced on 25 June 2018 in its news release, Action on diagnostics.

Answered byJeane Freeman
(14/01/2019):

Our Waiting Times Improvement Plan was launched in October and will be overseen by a new Operational Programme Board. The plan aims to improve waiting times performance across all NHS Boards for cancer, diagnostics, outpatient appointments and day case procedures. The Endoscopy Action Plan is central to this and activity and outputs will be monitored via the Operational Programme Board. The Scottish Government Endoscopy Action Plan will be published in February 2019.

Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14/01/2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish its endoscopy action plan, which it announced on 25 June 2018 in its news release, Action on diagnostics.

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that all cancer patients are offered a holistic needs assessment at diagnosis and at the end of treatment.

Answered byJeane Freeman
(24/12/2018):

The Scottish Government’s Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action strategy is committed to ensure that there is capacity in our health and social care services to address the needs of people living with cancer.

Through working with partners like Macmillan, every Scottish patient newly diagnosed with cancer receives a letter offering them time with a link worker to talk about their support needs, using the Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) to guide the conversation.

The Three Regional Cancer Networks are currently working with Managed Clinical Networks and the Transforming Cancer After Treatment Programme Board to ensure the HNA is included within follow-up guidance, highlighting its important role within routine care.

Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 24/12/2018

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that all cancer patients are offered a holistic needs assessment at diagnosis and at the end of treatment.

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its completion, how it will embed what was learned from the Transforming Care After Treatment programme.

Answered byJeane Freeman
(24/12/2018):

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-20442 on 24 December 2018. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 24/12/2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its completion, how it will embed what was learned from the Transforming Care After Treatment programme.

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that school meals are healthy and nutritious, and how this has been informed by the Good Food Nation agenda.

Answered byJohn Swinney
(05/12/2018):

Food and drink served in Scottish schools must meet minimum nutrient standards set by the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008. We are carefully considering views offered through the recent consultation on our proposals to amend these Regulations and make school food and drink even healthier.

' Better Eating, Better Learning ' includes guidance for schools and caterers on using school food as part of a whole school approach. This supports learning as an integral part of the curriculum and a Good Food Nation by championing use of fresh, seasonal, local and sustainable produce.

Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 05/12/2018

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that school meals are healthy and nutritious, and how this has been informed by the Good Food Nation agenda.

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the ownership of personal data collected by private companies as part of their role delivering public services or providing services through public procurement.

Answered byDerek Mackay
(20/11/2018):

The Scottish Government takes the privacy of citizen’s data very seriously and is committed to ensuring that the personal data that we control complies with the Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulations. Scottish Government commercial contracts comply with current Data Protection Laws. Where the Scottish Government is deemed to be the Data Controller under Data Protection Laws, the Scottish Government will exercise overall control of the personal data. Where the supplier is deemed to be the Data Controller under Data Protection Laws, the supplier will have control over some or all of the data and is directly responsible for compliance with Data Protection Laws. In terms of intellectual property rights, Scottish Government commercial contracts normally secure the ownership of data by the Scottish Ministers and any licencing of such data would be in accordance with data protection laws. Both data protection and intellectual property rights are matters reserved to the UK Government, which means that the Scottish Government has no powers to make or amend legislation in this area.

Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 20/11/2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the ownership of personal data collected by private companies as part of their role delivering public services or providing services through public procurement.

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of how occupational therapy can be more effectively delivered in schools, colleges and universities to help deal with mental health problems among young people.

Answered byJohn Swinney
(06/11/2018):

We have made absolutely clear the commitment of this government to promoting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. There are a range of professionals, including occupational therapy services, who have a valuable contribution to make to supporting and improving children and young people’s mental health. Education authorities and schools can utilise a spectrum of support services, including occupational therapists, to meet the needs of their pupils.

To support students in colleges and universities the Scottish Government has supported the NUS Scotland’s “Think Positive” project, which focusses on the importance of early intervention. Additional funding for the project was announced in March 2018, to; help institutions create a Student Mental Health Agreement, launch a small grants scheme (up to £250), encourage innovation, and organise events to share best practice in student mental health support.

Further, The Programme for Government includes commitments to provide counsellors in schools and further and higher education to provide support and to develop and maintain positive mental health and wellbeing for children and young people.

Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 06/11/2018

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of how occupational therapy can be more effectively delivered in schools, colleges and universities to help deal with mental health problems among young people.

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